CalFresh Student Eligibility Rule
College students age 18 to 49 who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education, are only eligible to participate in CalFresh if the student meets an exemption. Exemptions from the CalFresh student eligibility rule include but are not limited to working an average of 20 hours per week or a total of 80 hours per month, responsible for the care of a child under the age of 6, responsible for the care of a child under age 12 without adequate childcare or as a single parent, disabled, physically or mentally unable to work, enrolled in a Program that Increases Employability (LIPE), or approved for a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funded benefit such as CalWORKs, Tribal TANF, Cal Grant A or B, or any other program funded by TANF.
For a list of approved LIPEs visit: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CalFresh/Students/Approved%20LPIE%20List.xlsx
If you are a student who meets an exemption, you are encouraged to apply for CalFresh. Return to the CalFresh main page for how to apply.
If the students are already part of a CalFresh household, the CalFresh household must request to add the student to the case.